The Impact of Social Media on Children's Mental Health: A Comprehensive Review Author: Firouzeh Mansouri Date: February 2024 Abstract The use of social media among children has significantly increased in recent years. This comprehensive review explores both the positive and negative effects of social media on children's mental health. While these platforms offer opportunities for learning, communication, and creativity, they also contribute to heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and reduced self-esteem. This paper synthesizes existing research findings and provides recommendations for promoting safer, more responsible engagement with social media among children. Introduction Social media has become an integral part of children's lives. With the advancement of digital technologies, children and adolescents increasingly use these platforms for communication, education, and entertainment. Despite the benefits, the influence of social media on mental health has become a growing concern. This article aims to review the positive and negative impacts of social media use on children's mental well-being and suggests practical strategies for healthy engagement (Rideout & Robb, 2022). Negative Effects of Social Media 1. Increased Anxiety and Depression Frequent social comparison on platforms can lower self-esteem and increase anxiety. Exposure to curated, idealized portrayals of others may lead to feelings of inadequacy. Studies indicate a strong correlation between high social media usage and symptoms of depression among children (Keles, McCrae, & Grealish, 2021; Vannucci & Ohannessian, 2022). Page 1